Loose-leaf binder



Aug. 5, 1941. A. N. HANNA ETAL LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Jan. 25, 1539 MMBY $20114 V d mlATTORNEY,

Patented Aug. 1941 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Atto N. Hanna, Newark, andFrederick Hafekost, Hopatcong, N. J.; said Hafekost assignor to saidHanna Application January 25, 1939, Serial No. 252,710

9 Claims.

The invention relates to loose leaf binders,

and more particularly to a binder of the type in which arcuate postcarrying members are superimposed one upon the other and pivotallyconnected at one end so as to permit the simultaneous separation of allof the posts for the purpose of inserting and removing sheets from thosecollected upon the loops formed by said arcuate posts. The general typeof binder above referred to is old and well known in this art. In somesuch binders the posts have been formed by round wire, riveted orotherwise secured to the base strip or member carrying same, while inother such binders, flat arcuate posts integral with the base strip havebeen formed from a sheet metal blank bent to the desired configurationby forming dies.

In actual practice it has been found that in binders in which the loopsformed by the arcuate posts have a diameter of approximately one-half aninch or less, there is little or no tendency of the dges of the loops tocut the paper adjacent the openings through which the loops pass, and notendency toward the deformation of the loops from the weight of thesheets of paper collected thereon.

It has been found, however, that with loops of more than one-half aninch in diameter using the same thickness of soft drawing metal stock asis employed with the smaller loops, there is a tendency-of the materialof the loops to bend from the Weight of the paper collected thereon,thus forming a gap where the arcuate posts meet, tending under someconditions to tear a sheet running upon the loops, and under otherconditions to permit the escape of paper between some of the loops.Furthermore, with larger loops, there is a longer run of the sheets whenturning them and sharp edges of the posts tend to cut or tear the paper.There is also, with binders having larger loops, greater difiiculty inclosing the arcuate posts, particularly when inserting a sheet in abinder in which a number of sheets have already been collected.

It has been found in actual practice, that the difficulties abovereferred to cannot be satisfactorily corrected by using thicker metal,since such metal cannot be readily formed with the necessary accuracy toproduce a properly workable binder.

With the above conditions in mind, we have provided a binder composed ofa base strip and a movable strip to be superimposed thereon, whichstrips have formed integrally therewith a plurality of posts havingarcuate ends, the material forming these posts having the opposite sideedges thereof upset or turned upon the other portion of the posts so asto provide posts having rounded edges possessing suflicient rigidity towithstand all of the stresses occurring during the use of the binderfrom a, considerable number of large sheets of paper.

In turning the edges of each post in the manner described, each postwill have a single thickness of metal where it joins the base or movablestrip, and to impart the desired rigidity at this point, the metal ofthe post and of the adjacent portion of the strip is pressed inwardly toform a reinforcing rib, which has been found to effectively preventbending of the material of any post at this point.

Preferably, the portion of each post leading from the base issubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the base, so that when abinder is either opened or closed, the major portion of the leaves willnot only lie perfectly flat upon each other, but will be stacked withoutany substantial irregularity in the positioning of the free edge of theleaves opposite the edge adjacent which they are connected with thebinder posts. With this construction, a greater number of leaves can beaccumulated in the binder, and the curved portion of each post isutilized mainly when turning the leaves from one post to itscomplementary post of each loop.

With an increased number of leaves or sheets in the book, particularlyif heavier paper be used, the closing of the posts is more difficult,particularly when the length of the binder metal is from ten to twelveinches, since the posts nearer the point of pivotal connection of thebase and the movable strip, engage each other slightly in advance ofthose more remote from this point when all of the leaves are of the samesize.

With this condition, the locking means used for connecting the twostrips is so constructed that one portion thereof will draw the twostrips into approximately the closed position, and another portionthereof will immediately complete this closing movement, both portionsof th locking member and the portion of the movable strip memberco-operating therewith being so formed as to develop a camming actionduring the closing of the locking member.

It is essential to provide in a binder embodying the invention, asequence of tongues upon the base member, formed integrally therewithalong the same edge thereof from which the posts project, these tonguesoverlaying the base and movable strips, means adjacent one end of saidstrips permitting pivotal movement of the latter strip, a plurality ofcomplementary posts formed integrally with and projecting upwardly fromone edge of, and partway across, said strips, each post having a singlethickness of metal adjacent said strip and its opposite edges turnedinwardly and downwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereoffrom the single thickness of metal adjacent the strip to the extremityof the post, the single thickness portion of the post adjacent the stripbeing of relatively greater width than the post and extending in atriangular form upwardly of the post, and

a plurality of tongues formed integrally with, and projecting from theedge .of, said base strip, said tongues overlaying, being parallel withand spaced from said base strip a. distance substantially equalling thethickness of said movable strip, whereby said movable strip will befirmly held in close abutting relation to said base strip, turningmovement thereof in one direction is limited, lifting of the poststhereon in relation to the posts upon the base strip is prevented, saidtongues are interposed between said movable strip and the leaves in thebinder, and both strips contribute toward the rigidity of the binder;and in such other novel features of construction and combination ofparts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularlypointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. l is a condensed plan view of a binder embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view at the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mechanism for closing and lockingthe base and movable strips.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the base stripIt] is made of sheet metal having along one edge thereof a series ofposts. Each of these posts is formed integrally With the metal of thestrip, a substantially right line portion I l extending upwardly in adirection substantially perpendicular to the strip for substantially.one-half the height of the post, and an arcuate end i2 extendingsubstantially halfway across the base strip. Preferably, these posts arearranged three to the inch, although this number may be greater or lessaccording to the thickness of the metal used.

Mounted for pivotal movement in relation to, and superimposed upon, thebase strip I G is a movable strip l3 having a sequence of postscomplementary to the posts -42, the straight portions of these postsbeing indicated at M and the arcuate ends thereof at 15. Said posts I4i5are made integral with the strip 13, project upwardly therefrom atsubstantially right angles thereto in the same manner as the portions llof the posts of the base strip and, like said last named posts, thearcuate portion i5 of each post extends substantially halfway across themovable strip I3.

The base strip and the movable strip are connected at one end forrelative pivotal movement in any desired manner, as by the pivot l5.

The base strip if! is provided with a plurality of flat tongues llformed integrally therewith and projecting from the same edge of thestrip as the posts H-l2. These tongues overlay the base strip, as shownmore particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, and are parallel therewith, beingspaced from the strip a distance substantially equalling the thicknessof the movable strip l3, so that when said strips are brought togetherto close the posts, the movable strip will be firmly held in closeabutting relation to the base strip. Furthermore, the engagement of thefree edge of the movable strip with the curved portion of the tongueswill limit the closing movement of themovable strip and said tonguesprevent lifting of this movable strip and a consequent separation of theends of the complementary posts upon the two strips while the binder isin use.

The tongues 11 are of a length to extend across the movable strip [3 toan extent to support the sheets inserted in the binder from the basestrip a distance to permit the movable strip to pass freely below theaccumulated or collated sheets without engaging the lowermost sheet,Otherwise this might result in not only interference with the closing ofthe binder, but the mutilation of the lowermost sheet or sheets adjacentthe edge thereof having the openings for receiving the posts. 1

In actual practice it has been found that these tongues may belocatedbetween alternate pairs of posts, and that it is desirable to havetongues between adjacent end posts ateach end of the binder.

To permit the rapid and economical production of binders embodying theinvention, thin gauge sheets or strips of drawing metal must beemployed, and in the production of binders employing posts of more thanone-half an inch in diameter for use in binding large sheets of paper,such thin metal stock has been found to possess inadequate strength toimpart sufiicient rigidity throughout the structure to withstand thestresses resulting from the use with the binder of a large number ofsuch sheets.

By the use of ribs 18 extending longitudinally and formed upwardly ofthe movable strip, it is possible to not only adequately stiffen thismovable strip, but to secure a tight fit between it and the varioustongues ll. The use of ribs extending along the posts, however, has beenfound to be inadequate to secure such desired rigidity in these posts.It has also been found that with a long run of the sheets when turningthem in' a binder, the raw edges of the posts have a tendency to cut thepaper, a condition not found with binders having posts of less thanone-half an inch in diameter.

To sufficiently stiffen the posts to permit their use with binders oflarger sizes and to prevent cutting of the paper by the edges of theposts, we have developed a special form of posts which, in addition topossessing high rigidity, has rounded edges throughout substantially theentire portion thereof which contacts with the edges of the openings inthe sheets of paper. Each post is also so constructed as to avoidweakening of the material of the post where it merges into the base orthe movable strip, and also is provided with a reinforcement at thispoint compensating forany weakness of the material due to the thinnessof the gauge of the metal or re bending of the material in forming theposts.

The-sheet metal blank used in producing the base and the movable stripsand the integral posts and tongues carried thereby, is blanked out bysuitable dies, leaving rectangular projecting portions at one edgethereof to be used in forming the posts and, as to the base strip,intermediate projections for forming the tongues. The-opposite edges ofeach of the rectangular projecting portions are turned by suitable diesand folded down upon the portion intermediate these edges, so as to meetalong the medial line of the projection.

In turning the metal, the portions of the edges adjacent the base ormovable strip proper have a peculiar formation or flow, due to the factthat this portion of the projection retains its original widthnotwithstanding the folding of the edges in the manner described. Thisresults in an outward flare at 'each side of each post, as indicated atl9, and a triangular opening within the post, indicated at 20, adjacentand above these flared portions, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4 ofthe drawing. This affords a single thickness of metal facilitating theupward bending of the post forming projection, which is desirable formanufacturing purposes but would leave a weak spot in the post whichmight result in the bending of the metal at this point from stressesupon the posts while the binder is in use, were not means provided tostiffen or reinforce each post at this point.

' To strengthen each post at its base, we bump up the metal to form areinforcing rib 2| extending throughout substantially the entiretriangular portion 20 of the post and into the contiguous portion of thebase strip itself, as shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4 of thedrawing. With posts constructed as described, the desired rigidity issecured and there is no tendency toward the separation of the ends ofthe complementar posts as a result of the yielding of any post fromstresses thereon. Each post is of double thickness throughout, except atthe base thereof, has rounded edges and is reinforced adjacent the basethereof notwithstanding that the strip and its posts are integrallyformed of a single metal blank,

The ends of the complementary post members are so formed, as indicatedat 22, that when the posts are closed, the ends will overlap and formacontinuous run for the sheets of paper in passing them around the loopsformed by the posts when turning the sheets.

In a loose leaf binder of the type to which the invention relates,locking means are provided to secure the free ends of the base and themovable strips when the complementary posts are closed.

Jith large loops, such as are used in the present device and in whichthe binders may be ten inches or more in length and are designed for aconsiderable number of large sheets, difiiculty may be experienced incompletely closing the loops, particularly by the users of the binders.Those posts nearest the point of pivotal connection of the base andthemovable strips engage each other slightly in advance of the engagementof the loops, more. remote from this point of pivotal connection, theloops at the extreme right of the binder, as shown-in Fig. 1, sometimesseparating to the extent of three-thirty-secondsof an inch with a loophaving adiameter of fiveeighths of an'inch.

With looks as heretofore used, it might be necessary to manually closethe loops before actuating the locking mechanism. To avoid possibilityof an improper closing of the loops and lockin of the strips carryingthe posts forming same, we provide a special form of locking mechanismwhich will now be described.

This locking mechanism comprises a plate 23 pivoted at 24 to the basestrip It. The free end of this strip 23 is provided with an overlayingkeeper 25 adapted to straddle a tongue 26 projecting from the movablestrip I3. This tongue has a symmetrically rounded end, as shown,although only the outer portion of this rounded end is necessary to theoperation of the device.

Projecting forwardly from the bend of the keeper 25 in the direction ofmovement of the plate. 23 for locking the binder strips, is an outwardlyflared tongue 21'.

The plate 23 is turned by means of a finger piece 28'.

When looking. the base and the movable strips together, the plate23 isturned by means of the finger piece 28 and, with continued movement ofthe plate, the forwardly projecting tongue 21 will engage the outerrounded surface of the extension 25. and develop a strong canimingaction which will overcome any resiliency of the loops adjacent thepivot I6 and not only completely close all of the loops, but press themovable strip into engagement with the curved portion of the. varioussupporting tongues ll. Said tongue 21 will also guide the keeper- 25into engagement with theextension 25.

v The tongue 26 is upwardly offset from the movable strip l3, to permitthe plate 23 to pass between it and the base strip It. If desired, thematerial of the extension 26 may be struck up to form a hub 29 to ensureagainst accidental disengagement of the keeper from said extension.

The action of a binder embodying the inven-- Having described theinvention, what we claim' as new and desire to have protected by LettersPatent, is:

l. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and part- Wayacross, said strips,each post having a single thickness of metaladjacent said strip and its opposite edges turned inwardly anddownwardly andclosed uponthe intermediate portion thereof from thesingle thickness of metal adjacent. the strip to the extremity of thepost, the single thickness portion of the post adjacent the strip beingof relatively greater Width than the post and extending in a triangularform upwardly of the post, and a plurality of tongues formed integrallywith, and projecting from the edge of, said base strip, said tonguesoverlaying, being parallel with and spaced from said base strip adistance substantially equalling the thickness of said movable strip,whereby said movable strip will be firmly held in close abuttingrelation to said base strip, turning movement thereof in one directionis limited, lifting of the posts thereon in relation to the posts uponthe base strip is prevented, said tongues are interposed between saidmovable strip and the leaves in the binder, and both strips contributetoward the rigidity of the binder.

.2. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post having. its opposite edges turnedinwardly and downwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereoffrom a point closely adjacent the strip to the extremity of the post,whereby each post is out-- wardly flared adjacent the strip and atriangular opening is formed within the post, an inwardly directedreinforcing rib extending longitudinally of the post substantiallythroughout said triangular opening and into the adjacent portion of themetal of the strip, and a plurality of tongues formed integrally with,and projecting from the edge of, said base strip, said tonguesoverlaying. being parallel with and spaced from said base strip adistance substantially equalling the thickness of said movable strip,whereby said movable strip will be firmly held in close abuttingrelation to said base strip, turning movement thereof in one directionis limited, lifting of the posts thereon in relation to the posts uponthe base strip is prevented, said tongues are interposed between saidmovable strip and the leaves in the binder, and both strips contributetoward the rigidity of the binder.

3. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post extending substantially perpendicularlyto the plane of the strip and merging into an arcuate portion adjacentthe end thereof and having a single thickness'of metal adjacent saidstrip and its opposite edges turned inwardly and downwardly and closedupon the intermediate portion thereof from the single thickness of metaladjacent the strip to the extremity of the post, the single thicknessportion of the post adjacent the strip being of relatively greater widththan the post and extendin in a triangular form upwardly of the post,and a plurality of tongues formed integrally with, and projecting fromthe edge of, said base strip, said'tongues overlaying, being parallelwith and spaced from said base strip a distance substantially equallingthe thickness of said movable strip, whereby said movable strip y willbe firmly held in close abutting relation to said base strip, turningmovement thereof in one direction is limited, lifting of the poststhereon in relation to the posts upon the base strip is prevented, saidtongues are interposed between said:

movable strip and the leaves in the binder, and

both strips contribute toward the rigidity of thebinder. 7

4. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post extending substantiall perpendicularly tothe plane of the strip and merging into an arcuate portion adjacent theend thereof and having its opposite edges turned inwardly and downwardlyand closed upon the intermediate portion thereof from a point closelyadjacent the strip to the extremity of the post, whereby each post isoutwardly flared adjacent the strip and a triangular opening is formedwithin the post, an inwardly directed reinforcing rib extendinglongitudinally of the post substantially throughout said triangularopening and into the adjacent portion of the metal of the strip, and aplurality of tongues formed inwill be firmly held in close abuttingrelation to said base strip, turning movement thereof in one directionis limited, lifting of the posts thereon in relation to the posts uponthe base strip is prevented, said tongues are interposed between saidmovable strip and the leaves in the binder, and both strips contributetoward the rigidity of the binder.

5. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, meansadjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotal movementof the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post having a single thickness of metaladjacent said strip and its opposite edges turned inwardly anddownwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereof from thesingle thickness of metal adjacent the 'strip'to the extremity of thepost, the single thickness portion of the post adjacent the strip beingof relatively greater width than the post and extending in a triangularform upwardly of the post, a plurality of tongues formed integrallywith, and projecting from the.edge of,

said base strip, said tongues overlaying, being parallel with and spacedfrom said base strip a distance substantially equalling the thickness ofsaid movable strip, whereby said movable strip will be firmly held inclose abutting relation to said base strip, turning movement thereof inone direction is limited, lifting of the posts thereon in relation tothe posts upon the base strip is prevented, said tongues are interposedbetween said movable strip and the leaves in the binder, and both stripscontribute toward the rigidity of the binder, and co-operating lockingmembers carried by the free ends of said base and said movable stripsrespectively.

6. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base andmovablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip,.a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post having a single thickness of metaladjacent said strip and its opposite edges turned inwardly anddownwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereof strip to theextremity of the post, the single thickness portion of the post adjacentthe strip being of relatively greater width than the post and extendingin a triangular form upwardly of the post, a plurality of tongues formedintegrally with, and projecting from the edge of, said base strip, saidtongues overlaying, being parallel with and spaced from said base stripa distance substantially equalling the thickness of said movable strip,whereby said movable strip will be firmly held in close abuttingrelation to said base strip, turning movement thereof in one directionis limited, lifting of the posts thereon in relation to the posts uponthe base strip is prevented, said tongues are interposed between saidmovable strip and the leaves in the binder, and both strips contributetoward the rigidity of the binder, a tongue having a rounded endprojecting from the free end of said movable strip, a

plate pivotally connected adjacent the free end of said base strip, akeeper member formed upon said plate adapted to straddle said tongue, anoutwardly flared tongue projecting from said keeper member in thedirection of movement of said plate when actuating the pivotal plate,whereby as said plate is moved into the locked position said keeper isguided into engagement with said tongue, and means whereby said platemay be manually actuated.

'Z. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post having its opposite edges turned inwardlyand downwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereof from apoint closely adjacent the strip to the extremity of the post, wherebyeach post is outwardly flared adjacent the strip and a triangularopening is formed within the post, an inwardly directed reinforcing ribextending longitudinally of the post substantially throughout saidtriangular opening and into the adjacent portion of the metal of thestrip, a plurality of tongues formed integrally with, and projectingfrom the edge of, said base strip, said tongues overlaying, beingparallel with and spaced from said base strip a distance substantiallyequalling the thickness of said movable strip, whereby said movablestrip will be firmly held in close abutting relation to said base strip,turning movement thereof in one direction is limited, lifting of theposts thereon in relation to the posts upon the base strip is prevented,said tongues are interposed between said movable strip and the leaves inthe binder, and both strips contribute toward the rigidit of the binder,and co-operating locking members carried by the free ends of said baseand said movable strips respectively.

8. A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post having its opposite edges turned inwardlyand downwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereof from apoint closely adjacent the strip to the extremity of the post, wherebyeach post is outwardly flared adjacent the strip and a triangularopening is formed within the post, an inwardly directed reinforcing ribextending longitudinally of the post substantially throughout saidtriangular opening and into the adjacent portion of the metal of thestrip, a plurality of tongues formed integrally with, and projectingfrom the edge of, said base strip, said tongues overlaying, beingparallel with and spaced from said base strip a distance substantiallyequalling the thickness of said movable strip, whereby said movablestrip will be firmly held in close abutting relation to said base strip,turning movement thereof in one direction is limited, lifting of theposts thereon in relation to the posts upon the base strip is prevented,said tongues are interposed between said movable strip and the leaves inthe binder, and both strips contribute toward the rigidity of thebinder, a tongue having a rounded end projecting from the free end ofsaid movable strip, a plate pivotally connected adjacent the free end ofsaid base strip, a keeper member formed upon said plate'adapted tostraddle said tongue, an outwardly flared tongue projecting from saidkeeper member in the direction of movement of said plate when actuatingthe pivotal plate, whereby as said plate is moved into the lockedposition said keeper is guided into engagement with said tongue, andmeans whereby said plate may be manually actuated.

9, A loose leaf binder embodying therein sheet metal base and movablestrips, means adjacent one end of said strips permitting pivotalmovement of the latter strip, a plurality of complementary posts formedintegrally with and projecting upwardly from one edge of, and partwayacross, said strips, each post having its opposite edges turned inwardlyand downwardly and closed upon the intermediate portion thereof from apoint closely adjacent the strip to the extremity of the post, wherebyeach post is outwardly flared adjacent the strip and a triangularopening is formed within the post, an inwardly directed reinforcing ribextending longitudinally of the post substantially throughout saidtriangular opening and into the adjacent portion of the metal of thestrip, upwardly formed ribs upon said movable strip, a plurality oftongues formed integrally with, and projecting from the edge of, saidbase strip, said tongues overlaying, be ng parallel with and spaced fromsaid base strip a distance ensuring engagement with a rib upon saidmovable strip, whereby said movable strip will be firmly held in closeabutting relation to said base strip, turning movement thereof in onedirection is limited, lifting of the posts thereon in relation to theposts upon the base stri is prevented, said tongues are interposedbetween said movable strip and the leaves in the binder, and both stripscontribute toward the rigidity of the binder, a tongue having a roundedend projecting from the free end of said movable strip, a plate pivotallconnected adjacent the free end of said base strip, a keeper memberformed upon said plate adapted to straddle said tongue, an outwardlyflared tongue projecting from said keeper member in the direction ofmovement of said plate when actuating the pivotal plate, whereby as saidplate is moved into the locked position said keeper is guided intoengagement with said tongue, and means whereby said plate may bemanually actuated.

ATTO N. HANNA. FREDERICK HAFEKOST

